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ranger Serving San Antonio College and the Alamo Colleges
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Volume 91 Issue 4 • Oct. 3, 2016
210-486-1773 • Single copies free
Rho Sigma Gamma, mortuary science club, rises from the dead
$1,400
Outreach department offers volunteer opportunities
$1,200 $1,000
By Wally Perez
gperez239@student.alamo.edu
Students at the Alamo Colleges can take classes at Dallas County Community College District and Houston Community College District for far less than the cost here. Out-of-district rates for three credit hours, under the recently approved tuition schedule at the Alamo Colleges, have students paying $1,184. For three credit hours at the other colleges, students pay $333 in Dallas, $424.50 in Houston and $1,089 at Austin Community College. Unlike the Dallas and Houston districts, Austin does increase in cost as students take more classes when out-of-district. Fifteen credit hours at ACC is $5,445, while 15 hours at the Alamo Colleges is $2,477. This means students can actually save money taking classes outside of this city and the Alamo Colleges in Dallas and Houston. In-district tuition costs for three cred-
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Alamo Colleges pricier than counterparts In-district tuition higher than Austin, Dallas and Houston community colleges.
Event encourages sidewalk messages for free speech
Professor receives ACCT award
3 Credit hours
$800
6 Credit Hours
$600
Lockers cannot be used for overnight storage
9 Credit Hours
$400
12 Credit Hours
$200
15 Credit Hours
$0
Alamo Alamo Austin Dallas Houston Colleges Colleges Community County Community (Current) (Proposed) College Community College College District Infographic by Zachary-Taylor Wright
it hours at the Alamo Colleges is almost three times as expensive as Dallas County Community College District and more than twice the amount of the Houston Community College District. Current tuition at the Alamo Colleges is $504 for up to six credit hours, $691 for nine credit hours, $873 for 12 credit hours and $1,054 for 15 credit hours. A new tuition increase was proposed
recently in which students would pay more, but receive three to six credit hours in the summer for free if they met the criteria. The proposed increase was tabled after trustees decided student input was needed before moving forward. Under the proposed increase, students would pay $258 for three credit hours, $516 for six credit hours, $774 for nine credit
See PRICIER, Page 3
Relax EMT sophomore Melanie Godwin checks notifications while lounging in a hammock during the Antojitos festival Sept. 28 in the mall. The ham-
Faculty Senate president steps down Lisa Black becomes faculty fellow for decision-making model. By Kyle R. Cotton kcotton11@student.alamo.edu Faculty Senate President Lisa Black stepped down from her position Sept. 23 during Faculty Senate’s first meeting of the semester. Black, who was first elected president in spring 2015, will become the faculty fellow for the new faculty decision-making model, at least until another can be found. “I’ve accepted the faculty fellow position, but sort of on a conditional basis. It’s meant to be a two-year position and it’s meant for that faculty fellow to be the liaison to the Executive Faculty Council, which is really a new ability on how we’re going to have a lot of input into how decisions are made that affect faculty across the district,” Black said. Black was the co-lead with Dr. Mike Flores, president of Palo Alto College, in designing the decision-making model. “Because it’s a brand-new model, it’s going to take a lot of work to get it moving. It’s grunt work. It’s what form we should use? What questions we should ask? How do we communicate that out to faculty? All those things that’s just basic infrastructure has to be put into place so that we can honor the transparency that we were asked to do, to give to the faculty when the model was created,” Black said.
See SENATE, Page 3
mocks provided by this college’s Hammock Club are available during normal school hours. Read the story at www.theranger.org. Brandon A. Edwards
Judge rules Follins can’t claim damages By Kyle R. Cotton kcotton11@student.alamo.edu A former president of Northeast Lakeview College cannot sue Alamo Colleges for damages related to the potential release of documents concerning his dismissal, a Travis County judge ruled Sept. 14. A Travis County district judge ruled in favor of Alamo Colleges’ motion for summary judgment denying a claim for $1 million in damages brought by Craig Follins concerning the potential release of information on his termination. Former NLC president has 30 days to appeal. The judge also approved a summary judgment motion from Attorney General Ken Paxton in a lawsuit on whether information under the Texas Public Information Act can be released to The Ranger and the San Antonio Express-News. Summary judgment means the facts in the case are not in dispute.
“As a political subdivision of the State of Texas, Alamo (Colleges) may not be sued for money damages absent an express waiver of immunity by the Texas Legislature, for which there is none in this case,” Alamo Colleges argues. “... while the TPIA provides for the recovery of attorney’s fee under some circumstances, it does not allow a third-party seeking to maintain the confidentiality of his records to recover fees from the custodial governmental entity, particularly when that entity that has complied with the TPIA by requesting a determination from (the office of the attorney general).” Alamo Colleges followed procedures in the Public Information Act by seeking the attorney general’s opinion on whether information on Follins’ termination could be released. According to Follins’ appeal
against the Alamo Colleges’ motion, Follins’ plea for damages of more than $1 million was done as a precaution. “Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 47 requires that a plaintiff plead damages in certain categories contained in the rule. “Should the injunctions prayed for not be granted, it is entirely realistic to project that Dr. Follins’ economic injury could exceed $1 million,” Follins’ attorney Stephen Menn wrote in the lawsuit. Menn also wrote that any case against the Alamo Colleges would more likely be pursued under 42 U.S. Code Section 1983, which would be prosecuted at the U.S. district court level. Follins is alleged to have engaged in abusive behavior toward faculty and staff at Northeast Lakeview before he was terminated as president Oct. 29, according to Follins’ affidavit to the court.
Roxella Cavazos, associate genthe submitted information at issue eral counsel for Alamo Colleges, is highly intimate or embarrassing said Follins has 30 days to appeal information and of no legitimate once the final paperwork is filed in public interest, and it may not be the case. withheld,” the attorney general’s Menn told The Ranger Sept. 26 decision said. he doesn’t know whether Follins Follins was reassigned as special will appeal the judge’s ruling and projects administrator — a posidoesn’t want to give his opinion on tion that did not exist previously the judge’s ruling yet. — and kept his salary The Ranger filed a of $205,387.03 to “anaView public information act lyze and provide recthe legal request Nov. 18 after documents at ommendations on the Follins was removed theranger.org. market opportunities from his position as for distance learning.” Northeast Lakeview Follins resigned president via a termination memfrom that position in August orandum written by Chancellor to pursue a position at Houston Bruce Leslie. Community College, which pulled “You have once again violatthe offer after further investigation ed expectations set for you and by the HCC district into allegations engaged in a pattern of unacceptof alleged abusive behavior. able behavior,” Leslie wrote. By resigning, Follins has forThe attorney general ruled in gone the approximately $90,000 The Ranger’s favor Feb. 24. as part of a settlement agreement, “Upon review, we find none of according to Follins’ affidavit.
Agr a phi cwa s r e mo v e d be c a us ei tdi d no ta dhe r et o Ra nge rpo l i c y .
News
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Oct. 3, 2016 • 3
ASL orientation introduces students to program Faculty hope to recruit majors and describe career opportunities. By Alison Graef
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
ASL interpreting sophomore Olivia Guardiola became interested in deaf culture in high school when she befriended a girl whose parents were deaf. “She said her first language was sign language, and I was intrigued,” Guardiola said. This college’s department of American Sign Language and interpreter training hopes to intrigue students into majoring in ASL interpreting. ASL will host a program orientation 10 a.m.noon Saturday in Room 116 of Nail Technical Center. Chair Lauri Metcalf will describe what ASL interpreters do, why they are needed, the process of becoming one and what program expenses a student should plan for. The orientation targets both current students and anyone who might be interested in joining or learning more about the program. ASL Professor Melody Hull said it is also a reminder for current ASL students of the purpose of the program and what the career possibilities are. Hull said she hopes some students who are currently only taking ASL for a language credit may become inspired by the orientation to look into becoming an interpreter. “The hope is that they realize they can be an interpreter, that they get inspired, curious,” Hull said. Though the orientation is for a mostly hearing audience, interns will serve as interpreters to practice at a live event. Interpreting is a unique skill because an interpreter must simultaneously hear and sign information. “Interpreters have to be able to multitask,” Hull said. Attendees are not required to RSVP. “If we have to get more chairs, we’ll get more chairs,” Hull said. The department is unique because students are encouraged
Interpreting 3 Instructor Debbie Watkins assists students with a signing exercise Tuesday in Nail. The students were signing and interpreting American Sign Language and signed English to distinguish the difference in sentence structure. Alison Graef to not speak in the hallways. There are designated areas for verbal conversation, but the goal is to keep the language inclusive for deaf students, faculty and staff, and for it to be an immersive experience. “Whatever your language is, you can go to Mexico and be immersed there, or Germany and be immersed there. But there is no Deaf-land,” Hull said. Guardiola met her friend’s parents, who were happy to share their knowledge of ASL with her. She later came to this college to pursue an ASL degree and was surprised to find out that her friend’s father works in the department. Guardiola said she found community there and would have given up years ago without the support of the faculty, staff and students. “I’ve gone through a lot of hiccups in life. I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for the people here,” Guardiola said. The ASL interpreting program awards an associate degree;
PRICIER from Page 1
Social work Professor Lisa Black, right, resigned Sept. 23 as Faculty Senate president. Criminal justice Professor Tiffany Cox, center, was elected president and foreign languages Professor Tammy Perez, left, was elected vice president by acclimation. Kyle R. Cotton
SENATE from Page 1 The faculty fellow is a liaison for the faculty decision-making model, which includes scheduling, taking meeting minutes, forming agendas and communicating what the model is doing to all the stakeholders. “It was not an easy decision, but I believe that model is so important for us that I was willing to do it till at least the spring,” Black said. “Part of my job will be to find a faculty member who wants to do it for two years and is ready and able to step into that position. But it needs to be at a time when people have time to think ahead.” Potential candidates will go through training before being put forward to an interview process and final selection by Dr. Jo-Carol Fabianke, vice chancellor of academic success. “On a personal note, I’m really proud of the work I was able to engage in with the senate. I don’t regret one moment of the hair loss, the weight gain … but I really hope this senate continues to move forward in the way that we have and just really represent
the faculty in such a powerful way that everybody can see,” Black said. Senators applauded Black for her service. She will remain as a senator. Criminal justice Professor Tiffany Cox was elected president, foreign languages Professor Tammy Perez was elected vice president and creative multimedia director Barbara Knotts was elected secretary by acclimation. Dr. Lisa Zottarelli, sociology professor and this college’s Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges liaison, was named parliamentarian. Cox said she is excited to serve as president. “I served as vice president last year and secretary the year before, and I’ve just spent the last couple of years learning how shared governance works and how we can really support the faculty and speak for faculty, increase faculty influence and decisions on campus and across the district, and I’m really looking forward to my team,” Cox said. Executive Faculty Council meetings are open to the public.
hours, $1,032 for 12 credit hours and $1,290 for 15 credit hours, or $86 per credit hour. Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said the tuition rate isn’t raised every year, but when necessary. Snyder said annual budget development includes projecting baseline revenues from only three sources, one being tuition. “We estimate revenues from enrollment growth or decline and related expenses for instructors for support,” Snyder said. In comparison to the Alamo Colleges, Houston Community College District students pay $208 for three credit hours, $411 for six credit hours, $613 for nine credit hours, $816 for 12 credit hours and $1,015 for 15 credit hours. This includes tuition, general fees, technology fees, a student activity and services fee, and recreation fees. Dallas County Community College District students pay $177 for three credit hours, $354 for six credit hours, $531 for nine credit hours, $708 for 12 credit hours and $885 for 15 credit hours, or $59 per credit hour. Ann Hatch, district director of media relations in Dallas, confirmed in an email to The Ranger that $59 per credit hour is a flat rate. Hatch said the Dallas district fiscal year 2016-17 budget does not include a tuition increase, so the $59 per credit hour figure continues through the academic year.
Guardiola said it is more common for students to take four years to complete it because of the rigorous standards. She said faculty and staff want students here to graduate fully prepared to work professionally in their field. “They’re putting people out there who know what they’re doing,” Guardiola said. The program is worth the hard work, Guardiola said. She jokingly warned that students can become enthralled after taking ASL 1 and end up changing their career paths to ASL interpreting. “It’s kind of like an addiction,” Guardiola said. “Because you get into ASL 1 and learn some signs, but then you want more. ... And if you’ve taken ASL 1 and 2 for fun, then you may as well take ASL 3 and change your major.” Guardiola encourages interested students to try a class. “If you have an interest, take the class and just fall in love and realize there’s no going back.”
Hatch said there are no additional fees, although certain classes may require a fee specific to that course or field of study. “We usually don’t add fees, although some areas of study — allied health and nursing, for example — do require extra fees,” Hatch said. Austin Community College is the closest to the Alamo Colleges’ proposed increase with $255 for three credit hours, $510 for six credit hours, $680 for nine credit hours, $1,020 for 12 credit hours and $1,275 for 15 credit hours for 2016-17. This comes to $85 per credit hour, including additional fees. Jessica Vess, associate director of communications at ACC, said the ACC board of trustees approved the tuition schedule for 2016-17 in May and the rate did not change. Snyder said that last spring, 32 of the 50 community colleges in Texas were higher than the Alamo Colleges’ in-district rates. “We’re not moving our rate to be the same as somebody else; that’s not what we do,” Snyder said. “We try not to change the rate because we know it’s important for students to have as low a cost as possible.” Snyder said every community college is different and some have different abilities in how much they can tax. “We don’t care what everyone else is doing, but we do look at (their rates) to make sure we don’t look out of line with (the colleges),” Snyder said. The tuition page on the Dallas district website explains
the low cost of tuition and what makes the colleges affordable. It reads: “ … A portion of local property taxes collected annually by Dallas County supports the colleges. Those tax dollars, in addition to funding from the state of Texas and tuition charges, make it possible for the colleges to provide high-quality course offerings at one of the lowest tuition rates in the state. “Because state and private universities don’t have a local tax base for additional support, they must charge higher tuition rates.” Snyder said Dallas has an advantage: Even with a lower tax rate, they produce more tax revenue in their metropolitan area. Sometimes the tax rate is making up for things which allows the Dallas district to keep that tuition lower, Snyder said. “We’ve survived not having to raise our tuition as often because our tax rate — without changing it — has produced more money because of property values going up in Bexar County,” Snyder said. Snyder said what’s going back to the board in October is not a tuition increase, but a changing in the methodology of the current tuition schedule. “Today if you look at the first page of our tuition schedule, everyone has a different dollar amount on there on a per credit per hour basis,” Snyder said. On the fall 2016 tuition and fees page, one credit hour currently costs $504. “With the proposal, we’re going to a flat rate of $86 per credit hour,” Snyder said.
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Art Guild to freestyle at Chalk it Up Community free to express creative urges at art festival. By Miranda A. Holden sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The Art Guild, along with 20 local artists, will use a piece of chalk as their paint brush to create murals along historic Houston Street Saturday for Chalk It Up. Houston Street will be closed 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday for the event. The 13th annual Chalk It Up sponsored by ArtPace is a free festival that allows the city of San Antonio to transform the street into a panoramic abstract design. Participants will create colorful art with family and friends while enjoying food trucks, live music, photo booths and performances. Argo Group is the festival’s sponsor with additional supporters such as, Centro San Antonio, CPS energy and Frost Bank. Art Guild President Justin Mendez, Vice President Fernando Lopez, exhibit Coordinator Dante Dispasquale and fine arts freshman Anaia Alejandro will participate at this year’s festival for the first time. Over the summer, Nina Hassele, curator and co-chair of Contemporary Art Month,
selected them to take part in the festival. She wanted to choose artists who were new to the community and wanted to get their work seen, Hassle said Sept. 27. Students will have a 4-by-6 concrete space to create
before, Mendez said. The festival is a way for the community to unite and express feelings as art for everyone to see, Hassle said. As an artist, being able to express oneself through art means artistic freedom, he said. It is advantageous
an original design by using chalk. Students will sketch out ideas, each using their own skill set, to come up with a concept the day
for an artist to have an idea and be able to show someone what he or she sees. “It’s about making something visual that someone can see and interpret in their own way,” Mendez said. “It’s up to the viewer’s understanding of what it is and what it isn’t.” The majority of his work is expressionistic, being able to express feelings. Hassle said people could expect to see lots of great art from school communities, emerging artists, feature artists and the entire city. The event is open and free to the public. For more information visit http://artpace. org/home/education/ c o m m u n i t y- p r o g ra m s / chalk-it-up.
Alexandra Nelipa
Dance Club celebrates ‘World Ballet Day Live’ 2016 Five of the world’s leading ballet companies unite all over the world for a live broadcast from Melbourne to San Francisco. By Miranda A. Holden sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Dance classes at this college will watch a 23-hour YouTube live-streaming day of the third annual World Ballet Day Tuesday. The live stream will begin tonight as the Australian Ballet kicks off the event in Melbourne. Spreading across each time zone, the Bolshoi Ballet joins the show, followed by the National Ballet of Canada and wrapping up with performances by the San Francisco Ballet. Viewers can get a glimpse at each company during class, rehearsal, backstage preparation and behind-the-scenes footage of performances. “It’s really fun to watch and interesting to see a perspective on what a dancer’s day is like,” dance Coordinator George Ann
Simpson said Sept. 22. Simpson plans to have the live stream available for students to watch Tuesday as she conducts classes. “World Ballet Day Live” was inspired by “Royal Ballet Live” in 2012, a nine-hour live stream via YouTube. Last year, the celebration drew 349,000 views and later gained more than 2 million views worldwide. “Dance is very underestimated,” dance sophomore Arcelia Jaramillo said Sept. 20. She explained the importance of watching so people can see that dance is not just pretty movements, it’s strong and powerful. Beside taking DANC 1141, Ballet 1, Jaramillo is also a member of the Dance Club for her third semester. The club meets at 3:15 p.m. every first and third Thursday in Room 146 of Candler
Physical Educational Center. Beside practicing for upcoming events such as SACtacular, the club brainstorms on fundraisers. This semester, she looks forward to learning from others in the club. Every dancer and choreographer is different. “I can get their ideas and make them my own,” she said. Everything she learns in dance class she takes along with her and shares with her peers at the University of the Incarnate Word as a dance coach. It took awhile to become a dance coach, she said. She has been coaching since February. “My ultimate dream is to have an impact on others,” she said, hoping they can say, “because of you, I’m here now.” For more information on detailed schedules, visit http://worldballetday.com/about/
Alexandra Nelipa
Sidewalk event encourages free speech Journalism program’s Chalk Day invites students to express themselves. By J. Del Valle
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
This college’s journalism program will celebrate National Newspaper Week by urging the campus to write, scribble, draw and let the chalk glide across the pavement to support the First Amendment. Chalk Day is 9:30-11:30 a.m. today in the mall between Loftin Student Center and the chemistry and geology building. The event, which allows participants to express themselves by coloring the walkway with art and words, honors freedom of speech in this country. Freedom of speech and press are valuable for journalists and all citizens across the nation because they are the basis for democracy. National Newspaper Week, which will run Sunday through Saturday, promotes the newspa-
per industry and celebrates its role in preserving the First Amendment and the open exchange of ideas between readers and newspapers. All members of the community are encouraged to join Chalk Day to write expressions that give life and colorful meaning to words, and create contemporary
Alexandra Nelipa
art on the empty brick pavement in the mall. Participants can share their thoughts, favorite quotes, art and lyrics with the rest of the campus. The event began as a protest after a student left a bucket of chalk with his friends while he went to class. They drew on the brick walkway until an administrator walking by told them to stop and questioned who would clean it up. The Ranger, in support of the students, maintained it would blow or wash away on its own. Soon thereafter, The Ranger begin offering the annual free event. The staff of The Ranger requests individuals use good judgment and avoid profanity. Chalk will be provided. “Without free press, it is very hard to maintain democracy,” journalism Instructor Irene Abrego said.
miere
Oct. 3, 2016 • 5
Sociology professor says rapid change causes nostalgia Lecture discusses distinction between history and memory. By Rachel Cooper
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
You buy souvenirs at the end of a vacation because the vacation is slipping away and you want something to hold onto as a reminder of that time, said a sociology professor to an audience of about 50 Sept. 27 at Northeast Lakeview College. The same can be said about society during rapid change, Dr. Brittany Chozinski said. Her talk, which was a part of the 2016 Arts and Sciences Fall Cultural Showcase, covered theories about sociology, philosophy and history related to nostalgia. “For us, nostalgia is triggered when we have some sort of discontentment with present situations,” Chozinski said. Society can even be nostalgic for a time period they didn’t live through. An example is that people enjoy going to a ’50s-themed diner who didn’t live through that time period. Nostalgia is most prevalent in young adulthood, then it isn’t as bad in middle age, but then “when you’re old, you get real nostalgic again,” Chozinski said. Swiss doctor Johanas Hoffer in 1688 described nostalgia as a “neurological disease of essentially demonic cause,” she said. Hoffer observed the concept of nostalgia in Swiss mercenaries who were
abroad and wanted to go home. His explanation for nostalgia was “eardrum and brain damage from cowbells,” which was “probably not accurate,” Chozinski said. “The last time you felt homesick or nostalgic, that’s what you were experiencing; it was a demon,” she joked. Nostalgia is from the Greek words ‘nostos’, which means longing to return home, and ‘algos’, the pain that accompanies the longing. The French phrase “fin de siécle” means “turn of the century.” “At any point where a century is ending, people have a tendency to reflect back on the previous century as well as look forward with new hope or perhaps fear, anxiety, toward the century that is quickly approaching,” Chozinski said. In the 20th to the 21st century, theorists became concerned with the concept of “the end of history.” Francis Fukuyama wrote the book “The End of History and the Last Man” in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down toward the end of the Cold War. “He thought we were seeing the final triumph of Western liberal democracy,” Chozinski said. Chozinski quoted a passage from Fukuyama’s book: “In the post-historical period there will be neither art nor philosophy, just the perpetual caretaking of the museum of human history. I can feel in myself and see in others around me, a powerful nostalgia for the time when history existed.” Humanities Professor Tony Lack
Sociology Professor Brittany Chozinski speaks about illusory nostalgia Sept. 27 in the student commons at Northeast Lakeview. The 2016 Arts and Sciences Fall Cultural Showcase runs through Thursday. Josue Hernandez asked if Chozinski could give an example of what the end of art and philosophy meant. “It doesn’t just mean that people stopped making art and writing books.” “We start to see a simulation of things as opposed to new creations,” Chozinski said, using movies as an example. “When we read about that superhero for the first time, now we get to see it on the screen, and it brings us back to that point in our life when we were 5 or 6 years old,” Chozinski said. Literary critic Geoffrey Hartman
believed technology causes history to be written as events happen. “We record everything,” Chozinski said. “I could probably figure out what you had for lunch today or the last time you had Starbucks if you gave me your Instagram.” The more we record, the less we have to remember, Chozinski said. An example of this is when an audience shoots photos and videos during a concert. This is called “anticipatory nostalgia,” she said. “Rapid change in society is fed
by technological change,” Chozinski said. “By remembering an earlier era, we are trying to slam on the brakes.” The film “Gattaca” is 5:30-9 p.m. Wednesday in Room 109 of the library. Chozinski, philosophy Professor Brandon Gillespie and Lack will lead a discussion after the film. Lack will lead the session “Posthuman Dignity” 1:40-2:55 p.m. Thursday in Room 201 of the student commons. Visit www.alamo.edu/nlc/ showcase/.
San Antonio hits streets for Siclovia The free event promotes obesity awareness, health and fitness. By Sasha D. Robinson sac-ranger@alamo.edu
More than 60,000 people worked up a sweat Sept. 25 at the fifth annual Siclovia on Broadway from Mahncke Park to the intersection of McCullough Avenue. Siclovia is a free event that turns major city streets into a safe place for people to exercise and play. The streets became temporarily car-free for about five hours Sept. 25 for families to run, ride bikes, ride skateboards, skate, take exercise classes and enjoy their city streets. Retiree Yolanda Rodriguez said she attended to help her get back in shape after surgery. “I had to recover from it, and I am on my way to good health,” she said at Siclovia. Rodriguez, who attended with her husband, Robert, said her son is the reason she came to the event. The two, who have been married for more than 43 years, said this was their first time coming to the event, but they plan to go to more. “We are planning on going and going and keep pushing,” she said. Sarita Perez said she uses the event to spend time and have fun with her sister. “I like it. It is very family-friendly and everyone is nice, and the weather is good today,” Perez said. In an interview Sept. 23, Siclovia Director Pete Garcia said Siclovia was part of an obesity prevention grant from Community Putting Prevention to Work. Garcia said they want to make three to five miles of road car-free for San Antonio communities. District 2 City Councilman Alan Warrick helped kick off the event by encouraging everyone to learn about making a change in lifestyles by diet or even stretching in the morning.
Lori Williamson and Tim Williamson, software analysts and personal trainers, ride their tandem recumbent bike and walk their dog Zoey along the 5-kilometer span of Broadway barricaded for Síclovia Sept. 25 from McCullough to Parland. The event was hosted by the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. Zachary-Taylor Wright. “From South America to San Antonio, Siclovia is really changing lives and changing the world,” Warrick said. District 1 City Councilman Roberto Treviño thanked businesses who attended and wanted everyone to participate despite the weather. “If it rains, so what? Let’s enjoy today. We are going to sweat anyway,” Treviño said. Sponsors such as H-E-B, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Yelp lined the streets in tents. Representatives from Brackenridge at Midtown apartment complex rode bikes and passed out fliers about their property. San Antonio’s Siclovia is held twice a year on the last Sunday of March and September. The first Siclovia in San Antonio was Oct. 2, 2011, which drew more than 15,000 attendees, according to biketexas.org.
The name “Siclovia” is adapted from the Spanish word “ciclovia,” which means “cycleway,” either a permanent bike path or the closing of certain streets to automobiles for cyclists and pedestrians, a practice sometimes called “open streets.” San Antonio’s spelling includes “si,” the Spanish word for “yes.” Siclovia started in 1974, and became a Colombian tradition, according to Mark Jenkins, in “How a Colombian Cycling Tradition Changed the World” in bicycling.com published Aug. 17, 2015. It has now spread around the world from Los Angeles to Cape Town. The local event is sponsored by the YMCA and co-hosted by the city of San Antonio and the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District.
6 • Oct. 3, 2016
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Editor Wally Perez
Managing Editor Kyle R. Cotton Calendar Editor Christian Erevia Staff Writers Bismarck D. Andino, Raven Arriaga, Y. Arroyo, Nicole Bautista, Valerie Champion, Rachel Cooper, Michelle Delgado, J. Del Valle, James Dusek, Estefania Flores, Emily Garcia, Miranda A. Holden, Mario Parker Menchaca III, Felicia Mora, R.M. Ozuniga, Ryann Palacios, William A. Peters, Sasha D. Robinson, Brianna Rodrigue, Christy Romero Visuals Editor Brandon A. Edwards Photographers Alison Graef, Aly Miranda Photo Team Yvonne Gonzales, Deandra Gonzalez, Josue Hernandez, M.J. Martinez Illustrators Estefania B. Alonso, Alexandra Nelipa Production Assistant Zachary-Taylor Wright
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©2016 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-3941. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of classes in the Journalism Program at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger. org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available by phone 210-4861765 or as a download at www.theranger.org. The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association. Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style. All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer. Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter. Letters should be emailed to sac-ranger@alamo. edu. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, mailed to The Ranger, Journalism Program, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-3941 or faxed to 210-486-9292. Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773. Single Copy Policy: Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs. Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single-copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.
Brandon A. Edwards
Let’s see documents already Judge rules in favor of publicizing Follins documents. Craig Follins, former Northeast Lakeview president, has filed an appeal in response to Attorney General Ken Paxton’s motion for summary judgment. Follins has time and time again stalled in an attempt to prevent the documents regarding his termination from being made public. Chancellor Bruce Leslie removed Follins from his position as president of NLC Oct. 29 for unacceptable behavior, including allegations of negative treatment of faculty and staff. In Paxton’s motion for summary judgment, he writes Follins has failed to demonstrate the informa-
tion at issue should be kept private. The judge in the case has recently ruled in favor of Paxton’s motion. Earlier this year, Follins responded to media by using his family as a reason to justify his actions in keeping the documents private. He said information in the documents is embarrassing and his reputation as a competent college administrator would be severely and negatively impacted. Sorry, Follins, but keeping the documents from the public isn’t helping your reputation either. If anything, it’s making it worse. If you were so worried about your reputation, maybe you shouldn’t have done something that would negatively affect it in the first place; you might still have a job here.
Paxton rebuts Follins’ claims by writing, “Any minimal privacy interest Follins might claim in the information is outweighed by the public’s interest in the information.” The public has a right to know, especially since they, as taxpayers, continued to pay his salary for almost 10 months after he was removed from his position. Good for Paxton for trying to hurry the process along; good for the judge for moving forward with the case and stopping Follins from stalling longer. Follins’ attorney said he doesn’t know if Follins is going to appeal the judge’s ruling. If he is smart, he won’t. He’s just delaying the inevitable and making his situation worse.
Student reality unrecognized Trustees, chancellor need to understand the whole picture. With the return of the no-confidence vote in Chancellor Bruce Leslie, sudden support from surrounding businesses and partners of the Alamo Colleges has emerged. Good for Northwest Vista College’s faculty for reviving the no-confidence vote. Faculty members are not shying away from voicing opinions either of the chancellor’s actions and how they affect the workplace and their students — the people they interact with on a daily basis. At the last board meeting Sept. 20, the agenda included discussion and possible action regarding the board’s confidence in and support of Leslie’s leadership. Citizens-to-be-heard was listed on the agenda before this item, which consisted of partners of the Alamo Colleges praising Leslie for doing a good job. A representative from InnovationTechnology-Machinery and Alamo Manufacturing Partnership spoke highly of Leslie. The board only practices transparency when they think they are not.
Transparency is the citizens-tobe-heard segment in which area businessmen spoke in favor of the chancellor. It’s pretty clear they were implored to do so. Transparency is the motion for a vote of confidence in the chancellor, even though it was withdrawn. Transparency is pulling said motion believing the citizens-to-beheard segment sufficed. It’s pretty clear board Chair Yvonne Katz was smug about the display. Transparency is the press conference the trustees held before the board meeting celebrating 12,003 graduates and other student success goals. It’s pretty clear the chancellor only seems to care about increasing graduation numbers. This is very different treatment from the way the chancellor’s raise was handled: discussion in executive session, no discussion in open session, no specifics mentioned in the motion. Kafkaesque to say the least. The recent proposed tuition increase incentivizes students to take more classes, who are then awarded free credit hours in the summer, which should allow stu-
dents to graduate sooner than later. What they don’t account for is the students who need to work parttime or full-time or the students who work more than one job. They don’t seem to account for the students who have children or child care problems, students who live in abusive situations, students who live with mental health problems, students who enroll just to enhance job skills, or our first-timein-college students. The reality of the Alamo Colleges is this: College is not the No. 1 priority of most students. This is a community college district, or at least it was before the chancellor and board started caring more about branding of the colleges than the education of its students. Our job is to help students become successful learners in the classroom, not push them out as fast as possible to make the numbers look good. Trust us on this: Students’ definition of success is not the same as the chancellor’s or trustees’. Students want to learn what they need to transfer and to build a career. Graduation within two years without those skills, lessons and confidence is not a success.
Pulse
Student deadline to sign up is today.
cash prize will be awarded for best costume. Costumes are optional; however, “we would love By Miranda A. Holden to see some ‘luchadores’ running on the course,” said sac-ranger@alamo.edu Mascarita organizer Jose M. Gomez Sept. 27. The office of student life encourages students to “Andiamo strives to positively impact the local participate in the first Mascarita 5K run at 7:30 a.m. community, not only by honoring cultural traditions Oct. 15 at VFW Post 76 on 10th Street. and hosting events that foster a healthy lifestyle, but On race day, registration will begin at 7 a.m. also by frequently using portions of the company’s Participants will receive a Trevenue to support local nonprofit organizations,” shirt, goody bag, snacks and Gomez said. refreshments. Arriving This college does not early is recommended have activities for runto secure the goodies. ners, so senior student The deadline for stusuccess senior specialdents to sign up is 5 ist Marisa Martinez p.m. today. searched for a 5K for The event is sponstudents who enjoy Alexa ndra N sored by Andiamo Race Productions. running. elipa Hundreds of runners and walkers are “I try to find fun runs expected and a medal will be given to all participants for students that are themed at the finish line. especially for Halloween,” she said Sept. 26. The top male and female runners and the first Día De Los Muertos is another costume-themed place of each age group category will receive a special 5K/10K run she found for students sponsored by artisan-made award. Huarache Turbo. The race will be chip-timed for those interested in The deadline to sign up is Oct. 21. Race day will knowing their finish time unless participants walk to be 4 p.m. Oct. 29 at Lady Bird Johnson Park, 10700 enjoy the scenic view. Nacogdoches Road. Luchador, Spanish for wrestler, is the theme, and a Call Martinez at 210-486-0129.
Student life plans dodge ball tournament Students are encouraged to let out unwanted stress. By Sasha D. Robinson sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The student life office plans a dodge ball tournament 2-4 p.m. Wednesday on the tennis courts south of Candler Physical Education Center. If students want to participate, the sign-up sheet is at the student life office in Room 260 of Loftin Student Center.
Alexandra Nelipa Marisa Martinez, senior specialist of student success, encourages students to come out and
have fun. “The games are for them,” Martinez said. “Even if there are two teams, we will leave the game up to them.” First-place winners will get a T-shirt, and second place will get ear buds with the Rangers logo on them. Students who do not have a team will be placed on one. Six players will be allowed on the court with classic dodge ball rules. Call Martinez at 210-486-0129.
student 101
Talk it out with a counselor Confidential help is available for students.
issues eat at everyone. “Anxiety isn’t going to go away; there will always be By William A. Peters things that stress us out; it is sac-ranger@alamo.edu part of being alive,” Rodriguez This college offers free counsaid. seling for students on the first He said sometimes it is necfloor of Moody Learning Center. essary to talk it out and get The counselors are required feedback or discover the source to have a minimum of a masof anxiety. Managing anxiety ter’s degree in counseling and and learning how to are licensed by the state deal with it is a p e li of Texas to provide ra N what counseld therapeutic couning is for. seling on a variThere are ety of personal also confiand mental dential group health issues, counseling sessaid Dr. David sions available for Rodriguez, perthose who would sonal counselor. prefer to work with others The personal counselors in similar situations and naviare there to help any student gate the issues they face. The who needs it. Asking for help current groups this semester as an adult is hard and carries are LGBT, veterans’, single para stigma. With life comes strife, ent and a poetry group. and students don’t have to face Conversations students it alone. might have with counselors are Rodriguez said needing completely confidential, and help isn’t a sign of weakness or it is not part of the academic doesn’t mean one is less intellirecord. gent. A person could be a genius Students can see a counselat math, writing or anything, or by walk-in or appointment. but if having personal issues, The services are free and availstressed out or depressed, it is able 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday going to affect academics. through Friday on the first floor Much like physical health, of Moody Learning Center. mental health requires mainteFor more information or to nance, Rodriguez said. make an appointment, call 210People don’t go from being 486-0334. fine one day to having a breakFor more information about down the next. Stress and group counseling, call 210-486anxiety build up and personal 1620.
an
Mexican wrestler theme at Mascarita 5K run/walk
Oct. 3, 2016 • 7
Ale x
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“BEAUTIFUL AND POWERFUL”
“A RALLYING CRY OF A FILM”
“A NEW LANDMARK IN AMERICAN CINEMA”
STARTS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 AT THEATRES EVERYWHERE Check Local Listings For Theatres & Showtimes San Antonio College
News
8 • Oct. 3, 2016
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Love doesn’t bruise Verbal and emotional abuse can hurt, too, adviser says. By Y. Arroyo
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The Non-traditional Students Club will host two events to spread awareness about domestic violence next week with support from the empowerment center. A T-shirt Design Project will take place 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11 at the center. Participants will paint the shirts to honor survivors of violence and abuse. The Clothesline Project Walk will begin at noon Oct. 12 at the center, and participants will march to the mall carrying the T-shirts on a clothesline. The clothesline will be hung at the stairs inside Loftin Student Center. This college has hosted both events for seven years. “This walk will help spread awareness because more people will hear about this issue and they’ll begin to ask questions about it,” said empowerment center adviser Maria Jimenez. Each T-shirt color represents a certain type of abuse. White represents women who died because of violence; red, pink and orange are for survivors of rape and sexual assault; blue and green T-shirts represent survivors of incest and sexual abuse; purple or lavender represents women attacked because of their sexual orientation; and black is for women attacked for political reasons. The Clothesline Project is a way for women to express their emotions, but also to help as a tool for healing, Jimenez said. Jimenez got the idea to start the project as a way to educate people about abuse. She
A
learned that the national Clothesline Project is a way women can express their emotions. About 25 people participated in the march last year. The National Clothesline Project started in the 1990s when more research was done on domestic violence and how to address those issues. The name originated with women who would talk about their troubles with neighbors as they hung laundry on clotheslines. Many of the women of that time didn’t speak out about their private lives, so they would talk to their neighbor about the things that they normally kept quiet. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in four men in the United States have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner, and 75 percent of 16to 24-year-olds in Texas have either experienced dating violence or know another young person who has. Domestic violence is often overlooked, though experts do not know why, said student intern Judith Christy File Williamson. Abuse isn’t only physical; it can also be sexual, verbal, psychological and financial, Jimenez said. It can seem subtle at first, but then abuse can escalate. “It might start off almost as sarcasm,” Williamson said. “It can perpetuate then grow into more passive aggressive. It can become something very overt, and it can happen before relationships really start. It can occur years down the road in the timeframe of a relationship.”
Dental hygiene sophomore Stephanie Contreras leads a chant of “speak up!” with students, staff and faculty from this college in a march against domestic abuse Oct. 15, 2014. File
A victim’s age plays a big role because authorities might become involved if one of the individuals is a child, an elderly adult or a disabled person. Emotional abuse is just as serious as physical abuse, Jimenez said. “Yes, and it comes with psychological abuse,” she said. “If you get degraded verbally, it’s going to affect you emotionally. Words can be very harsh. They can really hurt you or scar you.” There is no justification for a partner’s abusive actions. “I truly believe that if you had something happen and you come home and you want to hurt someone in front of you verbally or physically, you need to understand your feelings and back off,” Jimenez said. If domestic violence is not dealt with effectively, it will continue to cycle through generations. “If you’re in an environment where you have children and you’re being abused, it starts with you and then it rolls down to a child,” she said. “That child will grow up seeing these things and will think this type of behavior is normal.”
How do you know?
Women or men who suffer from abuse often reveal it in both subtle and obvious ways.
Signs one might be abused:
• changes in behavior or hygiene • bruises • low self-esteem • isolation • withdrawing from friends and family • making excuses to avoid activities they once enjoyed • • • • • • •
Signs of an abusive partner:
controlling actions passive-aggressive behavior manipulative actions exerting control over finances degrading language denial about the abuse extreme jealousy Sources: Empowerment center adviser Maria Jimenez and student intern Judith Christy Williamson
Contact Family Violence Prevention Services
• 210-733-8810 •www.fvps.org •7911 Broadway St. Resources include on-site attorneys for legal assistance, an on-site school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, adult education, case management services, transitional housing and onsite medical and dental care.
FREE Celebration for SAC & The Community
2016
SACTACULAR SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE • 1819 N. MAIN AVENUE
FRIDAY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
OCTOBER 14 5-9 PM Featuring “Finding Friday” Cover Band
Large Outdoor Movie
The Secret Life of Pets Food Booths/Trucks Planetarium Shows Animal Shows Kids Zone Face Painting Balloon Animals and much more!
FR PAR EE KIN G Free and open to the public • Learn more at
alamo.edu/sac/sactacular16